Milk-bottle holder



Oct. L1, 19251.-

B. BARDAX MILK BOTTLE HOLDER Filed June 5, v1926 mflu mil*

Patented Oct. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES rrr.

MILK-BOTTLE HOLDER.

Application led June 5,

This invention relates to improvements in milk bottle holders and has for its primary object, the provision of a safe and sanitary means of receiving milk by delivery, as the bottle of milk is automatically locked in a box like housingwhen placedY therein by the milkman, where it is protected from theft and from contact with dogs or cats.

Another object of the invention resides in a. box like container having a door therein for the insertion of a bottle of milk to be housed therein, and which door contains a novel form of latch mechanism controlled by the actuation of a bottom, which latch mechanism is normally in an unlocked position to permit of the lifting of the door for the removal of an empty bottle and for the insertion of a full bottle of milk, the weight of the full bottle resting upon the bottom causes the operation of the latch mechanism to automatically lock thekdoor to prevent unauthorized entry to the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a locked box in which an empty milk bottle may bc placed for removal `by the milkman, but which automatically locks when a full bottle is inserted to prevent theft of the same.

With these and other objects in view, the

0 invention resides incertain novel construction and combination and arrangement of parts, the essential features of which are hereinafter fully described, are particularly pointed out inthe appended claims, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in

which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved milk bottle container.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view therethrough, showing the box in an empty condition.

Figure 3 is a similar view but showing the position of the parts when a full bottle of milk is contained therein.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 4 4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of my invention. Y

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the reference numeral '10 designates a box like container having a hinged door 11 in the top wall thereof, and which is spring pressed as at 12 so as to normally keep the same in a closed position. A hinged door 13 is mounted in the front wall of the container and is provided with a key actuated 1926. Serial No. 113,979,

lock 14 whereby the door may be locked by the owner to prevent unauthorized entry to the interior of the container.

A movable false' bottom 15 is arranged within the container and is normally held in a raised position above the true bottom by springs 16 interposed therebetween. Pins 17 depend from the bottom 15 and pass longitudinally through the springs 'for engagement with the true bottom for limiting the downward movement of the false bottom when a. weighted article is placed thereon. A frame 18 overliesv the false bottom for limiting upward movement of said bottom, al though the tension of the springs 16 is only suflici'ent to normally hold the false bottom against the frame when an empty bottle is placed thereon.

A latch mechanism 19 is contained on the underside of the door 11 andis operable by a rod 2O extending upward from adjacent the true bottom and parallel to the rear wall of the container.v The rod is provided with a hinged angular'extension 21 which is pivotally mounted upon the true bottom as at 22, while the free end of the angular' extension underlies the false bottom approximately centrally thereof. The weight of the rod holds the head 22 provided on the free end thereof, normally below the plane of the latch mechanism 19 and out of Contact therewith.' However, should a weighted article such as a full bottle of milk be placed upon the false bottom, the weight of the same overcomes the tension of the springs, thereby causing the false bottom to press downward upon the free end of the angular extension causing the rod to move upward to position the head 22 in the path of the latch mecha-A nism during the closing of the door, whereby to actuate the same for a purpose now to be explained.

The latch mechanism 19 above referred to comprises a housing 23 supported from the underside of the door and in which a carriageor frame 24 is slidably mounted. A spring 25 having one end attached to the carriage and its other end xed to the housing tendsto hold the frame against the inner end of the housing with the tail 26 projecting from the frame through the casing and in an extended position. Slidably mounted in the frame or casing 24 ,is a bolt 27 normally held in a retracted position with the outer end of the housing, but capable of being extended upon the outward longitudinal movement of the frame for engagement with a keeper 28 on the top wall of the box like casing. The outward longitudinal lmovement of the frame is provided by the Y 29 encircles a reduced shank of the bolt and turn inserts a fresh bottle.

serves tohold the end of the bolt extended.

IIoWever, When the bolt is extended by reaautomatically retracted by reason of an'inclined face 30 on the Vfree end thereof, which engages the top Wall of the container prior to the snapping of the bolt into the keeper.

In practice, we shall presume that an empty bottle has been positioned within the container the weight of which is insufficient to cause the actuation of the latch meehanism. The owner after inserting the bottle locks the front door and it is prevented from being opened by an unauthorized person. The milkman in delivering a fresh bottle of milk, lifts the top door and removes the empty bottle from the container and inV re- The weight of this fresh bottle of milk is sulicient to move the false bottom downivardyto actuate the rod 20 to cause the head 22 to move to a position where it is engaged by the tail of the latch mechanism during the closing of the door and moves thelatch bolt to an extended position for engagement with its keeper. It will thereforel be seen that the top door is automatically locked and the bottle is housed against theft and against dogs and cats, as it will be appreciated that it is a common occurrence for Ysuch animals tolick the milk from'the'tops of bottles which is unsanit-ary. For the purpose of rigidly supporting the container upon a wall or other structure, I provide openings 31 in therear wall thereof for the passage of screws or like elements.

Springs 32 are connected to the rod 20 and to the rear wall of the casing 10, to hold said bar down to normally keep the member 21 against the false bottom 15and to assist the springs 16 in supporting said false bottom when an empty bottle is resting thereon. Said springs 16 and 32 yield however when a fulll bottle is placed upon the false bottom to permit same to drop and lift the rod 2() to actuate the latch mechanism 19 in J[he manner set forth.

If desired, a single rectangular shaped receptacle A may be provided as shown in Figure for useV by 4.occupants of appartments, and in which a, plurality of individual lock boxes B and C may be arranged, each independently operable, and which may be identified by the name of the users. While I have described what I deem to be the most desirable embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that many of the details may be varied Without in any way departing from the spirit of my invention, and I therefore do notlimit myself to the exact details of construct-ion hereinv set forth nor to anything less than the whole of my invention limited only by the appended claims.

l/Jhat is claimed as new is g*- 1. A milk bottle holder comprising a box like container having a hinged door in one wall thereof, a latch bolt slidably mounted on said door, means fornormallyv holding said latch'bolt in 4a retracted position, said means including a spring actuated carriage in which said latch bolt is mounted, a false bottom movable within said box like container, means for yieldingly supporting said false bottom in spaced relation to the true bottom of said container, and means operable upon the downward movement of said false bottom by reason of theplacing of a weighted object thereon, for causing vthe sliding movement of said carriage to move said latch bolt to operative position upon the closing of said door for engagementvvith a keeper mounted on said container.

' 2. A milk bottle holder comprising a box like container having a hingedV door in the top thereof, a carriage slidably mounted on the underside of said door, a spring for normally holding said carriage in a normal retracted position, a spring actuated latch Vbolt movable with said carriage, a false bottom yieldingly supported above the true bottom of said container, a rod slidably mounted on one of the Walls of said container, actuating means for lifting saidro'd upon the opening of 'said hinged door. and the placing ofy a weightedy object uponv said false bottom to'move said rod into the path of a tail extending from said carriage whereby closing of said doorvvill cause said tail to engage said rod to slide said carriage to an extended position to' move said latch bolt to an operative position to automatically engage a keeper upon the extreme closing of said door to lock said door against being opened while the weighted object'remains upon said false bottom,"and a key controlled door through Which the Weighted object may be removed'.`

3. A milk bo-ttle holder` comprising a box like container having'a hinged door in the top thereof, a carriage'slidably mounted on the underside of said door, a spring for normally holdingy said carriage in a normal retracted position, a spring actuated latch bolt movable with said carriage, a-false bottom yieldingly supported above the true bottom of said container, a rod slidably mounted on one of the walls of Said container, actuating means for lifting said rod upon` the opening of said hinged door and the placing of a weighted object upon said false bottom to move said rod intol thep'ath of a tail extending from said carriage whereby closing of said door will cause said tail to engage said rod to slide said carriage to an extended position to move said latoh bolt to an operative position to automatically engage a keeper upon the extreme closing of said door to look said door against being opened while the weighted object remains upon said false bottom, and a key controlled door through which the weighted object may be removed, 10 and means for returning said rod to normal position upon the removal of the weighted object from said false bottom whereby said spring` will return said carriage and latch bolt to inoperative position. 15 In testimony whereof I have aXed my signature.

BYRON BARDAX. 

